Revellers across the country braved sub-zero temperatures as they flocked into city and town centres for the last night out before Christmas.
Drinkers donned their favourite festive outfits as they celebrated ‘Sozzled Saturday’ in style on Saturday night.
For many it will have been their final chance for a night on the town before Christmas, which falls on a Sunday this year.
Men and women alike could be seen dressed as Santa, his elves and even his reindeer, in places such as Manchester and Leeds.
These revellers were seen getting into the Christmas spirit ahead of a night out in Leeds on Saturday
This group were seen sporting antlers, elf and Santa outfits, and even Rudolph’s red nose in Leeds
This pair well and truly painted the town red with their Santa-inspired outfits in Leeds last night
This Santa and his group of merry helpers, including elves and a reindeer costume, were spotted in Leeds
These glamorous ladies braved the sub-zero temperatures with their Christmas-inspired outfits
This fun-loving group of revellers were seen enjoying themselves as they made their way through Leeds on Saturday night
These two men, with one donning a fake white Santa beard, looked to be having a good time on their night out in Leeds
Others took a less festive attitude towards their garb, with some heading out looking like cowboys and sharks, while others were dressed to impress.
The Otley Run in Leeds was is in full swing in the afternoon – a local tradition where people storm pubs en route to the city centre – often in fancy dress.
The crawl is viewed as a rite of passage for studying at Leeds and participants often coordinate their costumes to a particular theme, however, anyone is welcome to join in on the fun.
The Otley Run consists of 18 pubs, all in the direction of Leeds city centre. Participants start at Woodies Ale House and continue down Otley Road heading to pubs such as the Original Oak, Skyrack, Hyde Park Pub and finally, the Dry Dock.
The rule of thumb for the Otley is that people have to drink at each of the stops as people overindulge in the festivities.
These ladies were dressed to impress as they went into Leeds city centre on Saturday night
Revellers dressed as a reindeer, a bunny and Godzilla get into the festive spirit before a night out in Leeds
Drinkers in their animal-inspired outfits pose for the camera in Leeds on Saturday night
This group seemed to be having a good time in Leeds city centre last night
These revellers decided to dress up as pirates as they headed for a night out in Leeds on Saturday
It followed similar scenes the day before as people shrugged off the freezing conditions to enjoy themselves on the first of two ‘Black Eye Fridays’.
Black Eye Friday is the name given to the Friday before Christmas Eve and is the most popular night in December for work Christmas parties.
It is typically used to describe the Friday after the December 16, and plenty are expected to be out again next week to celebrate the festive season.
Anyone heading on a night out next week can expect it to be a lot warmer, with forecasters predicting the Arctic air that has held the UK in its grip for the last couple of weeks will be pushed away in the coming days.
Thermometers have averaged just a fraction of a degree above freezing so far this month, but a blast of sub-tropical air tomorrow will see the mercury rise as high as 15C (59F).
The Met Office has forecast up to four hours’ snow to sweep the North from this morning, with between one and six inches falling.
For some the long night of celebrating may have become too much, with this woman seen on the floor in Manchester
In Manchester the partying continued into the early hours, with some stopping for some well-deserved food later in the night
These revellers were seen dressed to impress as they went out for ‘Sozzled Saturday’ in Manchester
These ladies painted Manchester city centre red with their Santa-themed outfits on Saturday
Blizzards will be whipped up by strong winds, and freezing rain threatens power cuts as it forms ice on contact with power lines, with its weight then often enough to snap the cables.
The South and Midlands face up to two hours’ rain, sleet and snow this morning with up to an inch of snow possible amid strong winds. But almost all snow nationwide will melt in just a few hours from lunchtime – temporarily threatening icy roads – as milder 8C (46F) air arrives.
Even warmer 14C (57F) highs follow tomorrow, with a relatively balmy 11C (52F) on Monday night.
Met Office forecaster Helen Caughey said: ‘After ten days, the cold northerly airflow will see a push of mild air from the South West on Sunday.
As the mild air meets the cold air over the UK, there will be a transient spell of snow, especially in the North.’
It means temperatures could be as much as 25 degrees higher at 6am on Monday compared to 6am on Friday.